Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Detwiler jumps at WBC opportunity

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER

Ross Detwiler will pitch for Team USA next month.

Updated at 3:28 p.m.

VIERA, Fla. -- Upon receiving a text message this morning from players union executive Tony Clark offering him a chance to pitch for Team USA in next month's World Baseball Classic, Ross Detwiler nearly responded with an immediate acceptance. Then the Nationals left-hander realized he might want to confirm this with his manager, pitching coach and GM first.

"The little kid in me wanted to say yes without thinking it through," he said. "But I came in, we all thought it through and it was still a yes. So I'm pretty happy about that."

Detwiler will leave Nationals camp March 4 and fly to Phoenix, where Team USA opens first-round pool play four days later. He's tentatively scheduled to pitch on March 9 against Italy, in relief of Giants right-hander Ryan Vogelsong.

Coming off a breakthrough season in which he went 10-8 with a 3.40 ERA, Detwiler becomes the second left-hander plucked out of the Nationals rotation to pitch for the U.S. squad. Gio Gonzalez was added to the roster two weeks ago, though he'll skip the first round in Phoenix and won't join his American teammates until a possible second-round game March 12 in Miami.

Though the departure of two members of their rotation could throw a bit of a wrench into their spring training plans, the Nationals didn't hesitate to let both Detwiler and Gonzalez go.

"Like I've said all along, we feel it's our duty and our obligation to put our best team forward that we can for Team USA," GM Mike Rizzo said. "We're honored that they want two of our starting pitchers to pitch for Team USA, and we're flattered about it. I know Ross is really fired up for it and really wanted to do it. We'll work around that schedule and make sure he's prepared for our major-league season."

Manager Davey Johnson said Detwiler will make two Grapefruit League starts before leaving camp: Feb. 26 against the Braves and March 3 against the Cardinals. He's allowed to throw up to 65 pitches in the first round of the WBC.

Detwiler's physical ability to throw that many pitches at that juncture of the spring is less of a concern than the intensity with which he'll need to pitch in a competitive tournament like the WBC, as opposed to the typical leisurely pace of a spring training game.

"The only issue that I have really with pitchers pitching in those kind of tournaments is the intensity of how you're going to throw," Rizzo said. "It's hard tell these supreme athletes you're only supposed to be throwing 75-80 percent of your regular routine when they've got an opposing batter ahead and you're wearing 'USA' on the front of your shirt. We're going to make sure they're prepared, both mentally and physically for the workload and the intensity, and we feel that this will be a good step in Ross' developmental curve."

How does Detwiler plan to approach this international appearance? He said he'll take a cue from his Game 4 NLDS start against St. Louis.

"I kind of go back to my playoff game, where I just tried to relax myself as much as possible, not overthrow," he said. "I think I'm going to kind of take that mentality in a little bit. Just let the ball work, don't overthrow the sinker, because then it stays straight and goes a long way. Maybe that? I don't know. I just have to figure it out when I get there."

This won't be the first time Detwiler has pitched for his country. A member of the 2006 World University Baseball Championship team while at Missouri State, he still keeps his title ring on his nightstand.

This latest honor caps a big offseason for the 26-year-old, who also got married and joined teammate Craig Stammen on a USO tour to Afghanistan with chairman of the joint chiefs of staff Martin Dempsey.

"I think I'm peaking a little early here," Detwiler said with a laugh. "I don't know if I'll be able to top this one. Definitely being able to go on the USO tour, it's kind of the same feeling having 'USA' on my chest when I go to play."

Fine by me. Det will only pitch one game (two at most), is unlikely to get injured. No problem with him facing good hitters and international exposure. Yes, he had a great Game 4, but I still see him as needing to build his poise and confidence, and also get a chance to use his "other pitches." It's real competition but it doesn't count--a win-win.

I'm a little apprehensive about this - Gio was one thing, because he's been through several complete seasons as a starter and knows the routine pretty well. Last year was already the most innings Det's ever pitched in a season, so they're going to have to be pretty careful with him this year anyway. Hopefully it'll all work out...

now hitting back to the pitcher with catcher calling out a base for it to be thrown tolots of infield drills so far covering different situations, coach calls out where men are on base and how many outs before hitting the ball to the pitcher

Actually, not suprised. He did do the USO tour and seems to have a sense of representing (yes, I know playing a game is different than going to entertain the troops). And he is probably so ready for live action. Stay healthy and Stay out of AZ.

I can't find the incident where Werth reported an injured player to the trainers, but other than that... If anyone knows where it is, I'd appreciate it, because it was very curious and that stuff normally stays in the clubhouse. Anyway, I put up a new post on Werth as player manager. Have fun with the links (I did) and let me know if any of them don't work. Now I gotta catch up on the news, and go to work (sigh).

To all those in a panic that Det or Gio will hurt themselves in the WBC, this from the Cubs website:

"An MRI revealed that Matt Garza has a mild lat strain on his left side, and the right-hander will be shut down for at least one week....Garza, who was facing batters for the first time since July 21, ended what was supposed to be a 40-pitch session after 20 because of discomfort in his left side."

Just saw Boz on the subject of Werth as manager. Gonna add that to my post.After Werth had given a fairly amazing analysis of why certain Nats lineups prevent the need for double switches, Adam said to me, "Think Werth is going to end up a manager, like Mattingly and Sandberg." Then we both said that would be a long time in the future because Werth has said many times that he will play until they tear the uniform off him, even if he is a platoon player at 39 or a pinch-hitter at 42. Then he cites the longevity (19 MLB seasons) of his uncle Ducky and how the game is a huge pleasure to him whether he's in his prime or not. This guy was a catcher for all or some of his first 6 years in pro career.

I bet he's still playing in some capacity as 40 and maybe managing at 45. But he'll probably have to cut the hair for that gig.

Very proud of Det and Gio. They can't be so petrified of getting injured that they never do anything. He has been in Viera for a good while, he has a strong sense of community and this may just get his competitive juices flowing right off. We had the best record in baseball last year and I was feeling slighted that none of our players were going.Sounds like they are going to be very careful with pitchers in this tournament. You don't trust our pitchers with Torre?

Rabbit - I understand wishing that there wasn't a WBC. But since there is, and since mlb is supporting it, we either do it right or don't participate at all. If we are going to send a team with USA on the uniform, then we need to send a competitive team. Seems like the players who are going are all in. The timing stinks for mlb, but everyone is working around it. The USA coaches are top guys. I have heard nothing but positive comments from players that have gone - I have not heard one negative thing about it. Didn't Davey coach one year? The guys who are going will get their game attitudes on a bit earlier than the rest. Maybe it will prove to be a great inspiration to them. Don't you secretly want them to win it all?

This is baseball's silly season. Everyone has been working on a new pitch over the winter, everybody is hitting big taters in BP, everyone is 100 percent recovered from surgery, everyone is in the best shape of his life, etc. Don't get carried away with what some of the media mutts are saying about Harper -- I think he might be the least likely guy to pay attention to his clippings or the number of hits on YouTube.

These guys are professional athletes. They like to compete. They like to win. Some of them have probably always had a goal of competing for their country. Throwing a few innings in the WBC is nothing to worry about. Injuries can happen while training, during ST, during the WBC or the first series of the season. Let them enjoy chasing their dreams. They deserve our applause.

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About the Author

Mark Zuckerman has covered the Nationals since the franchise arrived in D.C. He's been a member of the Baseball Writers' Association of America since 2001 and is a Hall of Fame voter. Email mzuckerman@comcastsportsnet.com.